The Stroller: 'Thank God'

Saturday

Feb 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Ken Staggs of Rutherfordton, N.C., wasn't amused by Leigh Hammond's reaction to Randy Faulkner's comments on another Stroller reader's political leanings. “Randy,” says Mr. Staggs, “has an unique style in opposing those who misrepresent the conservative principles. He does this by being provocative, humorous and practical. His responses are welcomed by most. It seems, however, that Mr. Hammond was not as receptive. "

By Lou Parrisstroller@shj.com

Ken Staggs of Rutherfordton, N.C., wasn't amused by Leigh Hammond's reaction to Randy Faulkner's comments on another Stroller reader's political leanings. “Randy,” says Mr. Staggs, “has an unique style in opposing those who misrepresent the conservative principles. He does this by being provocative, humorous and practical. His responses are welcomed by most. It seems, however, that Mr. Hammond was not as receptive. For Mr. Hammond to compare Randy's comments with those on the extreme edge and insinuate that the other side had threatened assassination of the president was illusive. The entire citizenry is aware that extremes are neither conservative nor liberal but total psychos. The other side might go unchallenged in Washington and tell everyone else that it is their way or the highway because they are the majority, but not here in Randy Faulkner's backyard. Thank God!”

‘OH, THAT': Ben Cromer of Inman imagines the look on the CEO's face after reading a tale about a toothpaste factory where they sometimes shipped boxes without the tubes inside. This challenged their perceived quality with the buyers and distributors. Understanding how important the relationship with them was, the CEO of the company assembled his top people. They decided to hire an external engineering company to solve their empty boxes problem. The project followed the usual process: budget and project sponsor allocated and third parties selected. Six months and $8 million later, they had a fantastic solution. Everyone was pleased. They solved the problem by using a high-tech precision scale that would sound a bell and flash lights whenever a toothpaste box weighed less than it should. The line would stop, someone would walk over, remove the defective box and then press another button to restart the line. As a result of the new package-monitoring process, no empty boxes were being shipped out of the factory. With no more customer complaints, the CEO felt the $8 million was well spent. He then reviewed the line statistics report and discovered the number of empty boxes picked up by the scale in the first week was consistent with projections, however, during the next three weeks there were no empty boxes. The CEO had the engineers check the equipment, and they verified the report as accurate. Puzzled, the CEO traveled down to the factory, viewed the part of the line where the precision scale was installed and observed that just ahead of the new $8 million solution sat a $20 desk fan blowing the empty boxes off the belt and into a bin. He asked the line supervisor what that was about. “Oh, that,” the supervisor replied, “Sam, the kid from maintenance, put it there because he was tired of walking over every time the bell rang.”

ODDS AND ENDS: Country fixin's the likes of which you won't find elsewhere will fill lunch plates Sunday at the Woodruff Shrine Club, where members of the Ladies Auxiliary are busy preparing chicken, pork chops, macaroni and cheese, steamed cabbage, pinto beans and dessert. The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.